SVA and San Diego Comic-Con: 2018 Preview

July 19, 2018

by Emma Drew

Starting today, a handful of successful—and fan-favorite—SVA animators, illustrators and authors will join the throngs of anime enthusiasts, sci-fi heads, superhero super fans, cosplayers, collectors and influencers to celebrate all things comics at Comic-Con International: San Diego. The annual, four-day convention is the biggest of its kind in the world and now showcases a vast swath of pop culture and entertainment across multiple media and genres, from television to video games to webcomics and depicting everything from adventure to fantasy to coming-of-age stories.

Particularly notable for those in attendance this year is a focus on the transformative and inclusive potential of the comics art form, especially the graphic novel. Nate Powell (BFA 2000 Cartooning) will present on a panel called The Human Condition: Connecting Humanity with Graphic Novels, discussing how the medium can tackle complex events and histories. Powell is best known for the National Book Award-winning March, a three-volume graphic-memoir of civil rights hero and U.S. Congressman John Lewis; he’ll be signing copies of March as well as debuting his new book, Come Again.

Nate Powell and the cover of his newly published graphic novel titled Come Again. Photo of Powell by John Sykes Jr., illustration courtesy of Penguin Random House Books.

Much-lauded for its encouragement and elevation of acceptance and inclusivity, the hit animated show Steven Universe, created and helmed by Rebecca Sugar (BFA 2009 Animation), has two dedicated panels this year. One, in classic Comic-Con fashion, will feature Steven Universe cast members and Sugar sharing insights about the show and announcing (or at least teasing) upcoming developments. The other is a conversation about the importance of body positivity and empowerment, two of the show’s big themes.

Daniel Cooney and the original, hand-drawn sketch cards made for the Star Wars film Rogue One. Photo from Daniel Cooney's Instagram and illustration courtesy of Topps.

Fellow animation star Dana Terrace (BFA 2013 Animation) will be taking a break from working on her new show Owl House (set to premiere next year) to sign for Gravity Falls: Lost Legends with Disney Publishing.Former editor-in-chief of Marvel Knights Joe Quesada (BFA 1984 Media Arts) will co-host a conversation celebrating the imprint’s 20th anniversary and its impact on current Marvel endeavors, while Dan Cooney (BFA 1998 Cartooning and former faculty member) will talk about his experiences creating trading cards for favorite franchises, like Star Wars: Rogue One.

For those who can’t make it to San Diego, check out our features on Sugar, Powell, and Terrace.